For me, Kilmer edges out Keaton as my second-favorite Batman actor because of the fight scenes and the way he looks in the cape and cowl, as well as this Bruce Wayne scene:

I agree with you, I am one of the few people who actually likes Forever. Everyone now and then it's fun to see a more kid-friendly version of Batman, like Brave and the Bold, and Forever found just the right level without going too over the top like Batman and Robin or the Adam West Batman. Keaton to me could have been amazing under a different director, but I think Burton is a really bad director and he ruins the first two films for me.

^ I'm surprised to hear you say that you like Batman Forever but didn't like Batman '89 and Batman Returns because, honestly, there really isn't that much of a difference, in terms of overall tone and feel, between the three films. Batman Forever is very much in the same vein, tonally, as Batman '89 and Batman Returns, with the only major difference between BR and BF being that the latter isn't as disturbingly FREAKY as the former.

^ I'm surprised to hear you say that you like Batman Forever but didn't like Batman '89 and Batman Returns because, honestly, there really isn't that much of a difference, in terms of overall tone and feel, between the three films. Batman Forever is very much in the same vein, tonally, as Batman '89 and Batman Returns, with the only major difference between BR and BF being that the latter isn't as disturbingly FREAKY as the former.

My main problem with Batman 89 and Batman Returns is that Batman just kills whenever he wants, but I also think Burton just isn't a good director and it ruins the films for me. Also I don't get why you say 89 and Returns are the same tone as Forever, the tone is completely different and on polar opposite ends of the spectrum.

I enjoy Forever But B'89&Returns are still my personal favorite Bat films,Killer is my #2 But not so much behind Keaton,Say what you want about Forever as a movie on it's own But I've always felt the Bruce Wayne&BatMan character was done some justice and Kilmer really nailed being both..For the most part

He also has been the most closest to Bruce&Bats from the animated series..Which is still my favorite outside the comics

My main problem with Batman 89 and Batman Returns is that Batman just kills whenever he wants, but I also think Burton just isn't a good director and it ruins the films for me. Also I don't get why you say 89 and Returns are the same tone as Forever, the tone is completely different and on polar opposite ends of the spectrum.

The only significant difference I see between Batman Returns and Batman Forever (and Batman '89, to a lesser degree) is that Batman Forever isn't disturbingly FREAKY like Batman Returns. All 3 films have a very distinct gothic/noir feel to them that comes across both in the visuals as well as in the way some of the characters, particularly the villains, are written and portrayed.

Batman Forever at least tries to be about Batman and explore his character, unlike Burton who was to obsessed with the villains. Also, Forever Batman doesn't act like the Punisher.

One reason why I like Forever and yes even Batman&Robin and give them a pass to an extend is because Bruce Wayne&Batman(especially Kilmer)really do feel the closest to me,They feel like great adaptions for Silver&Golden age Batman

Problem is though that Bruce/Batman(especially Kilmer)is like a modern version stuck in the old school comics and cartoons's world

Haven't seen Forever in years. Might have to go back to that one soon, I enjoyed both Batman 89 and Batman Returns and can remember going to the theater as a kid to see them both. Those 3 I can watch anytime. Can't say the same for any of the new films. I really have to be in a mood. Don't get me wrong I liked them all, but have only watched TDK 3 times to my knowledge and have only seen TKDR once. Actually tried to sit down and watch Begins today and I couldn't make it through it. I kept falling asleep, which is strange because it's not like I find the movie boring.

Kilmer could have been a good Batman under better direction but he was just OK. The thumbs up and the bad dialogue while under the cowl made him jokey. But he could have been great because he's a good actor and had the look and voice for it. His Bruce Wayne on the other hand was very good. Too bad it was wasted with those Kidman scenes.

Keaton was an entertaining Wayne but not much like the character. A great Batman though. Too bad Burton made him not only kill (stupid choice) but also made him a supporting character in his own movies.

Clooney was horrible in everything.

Bale was the best Bruce Wayne and until Affleck shows us his stuff, he'll still be the best Bruce. Affleck has a chance to do better though. Even though he's not on the acting level of Bale, with the right portrayal he could deliver the genius but cold/obsessive Bruce we've been waiting for. As Batman? Bale was great but still not the best. That title will probably go to Affleck under Snyder's direction and visuals.

__________________"Lets make one thing very clear here - Nolan's films are as faithful an adaptation as there is. It pays homage to its source material, remains true to its characters and above all else places the story first and foremost." - jmc

Yeah I would have to vote Kilmer right now, with Bale's Bruce being a close 2nd. Which is also weird because I type this the one question that pops in my mind is "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?" My childhood coming back to **tch slap me for not picking Keaton I guess.

In my mind&heart Kilmer has been the best Bruce AND Batman But I always pick Keaton as #1 mostly cause of nostalgia and being biased,I saw B'89 in theaters at 4 or 5 yo and was so amazed that he instantly became my #2 super hero(I was obsessed with the old Zorro Disney show),I liked the 60's show But was mesmerized by B'89 and Keaton's Batman and I started reading comics with them mostly being Batman comics when Returns just came out.

Plus my favorite Bat Suit on film is B'89 or Returns's,I didn't and still don't have much of a problem with him killing cause Bob Kane had him kill in the first couple of issues

To be fair to Keaton, most of the issues that I have with him aren't really his fault, the script and writing let him down big time. He COULD have played a good Bruce Wayne, I don't doubt that, but wasn't given the chance,

I was thinking about the reasons why Batman and Robin is the worst of the 7 films to date, and identified 3 things:
1) The drastic and dramatic tonal shift
2) Arnold's over-acting
3) Clooney being ill-suited to the tone of the script

Clooney is such a different type of actor from Keaton and Kilmer that it would've been jarring going from them to him either way, but having a script that was tonally similar to their films, coupled with Clooney's acting skills, would've probably been enough to offset things.

Can't be sure about Affleck until I see him but I don't think he'll top Bale for me.

__________________

THE JUSTICE BULLETIN published some of my thematic analysis on the symbolism in Nolan's superhero saga.
I call it Heroic Archetypes. You can read the parts on Batman Begins in the following links:
(pt 1; pt 2; pt 3; pt 4; pt 5; pt 6; pt 7)

I was thinking about the reasons why Batman and Robin is the worst of the 7 films to date, and identified 3 things:
1) The drastic and dramatic tonal shift
2) Arnold's over-acting
3) Clooney being ill-suited to the tone of the script

Clooney is such a different type of actor from Keaton and Kilmer that it would've been jarring going from them to him either way, but having a script that was tonally similar to their films, coupled with Clooney's acting skills, would've probably been enough to offset things.

Batman & Robin is terrible because it didn't get the camp right. Had it embraced the 60s show more and gave us something like Brave & Bold, it would've easily been one of the zaniest and enjoyable Batman films to date.

__________________

THE JUSTICE BULLETIN published some of my thematic analysis on the symbolism in Nolan's superhero saga.
I call it Heroic Archetypes. You can read the parts on Batman Begins in the following links:
(pt 1; pt 2; pt 3; pt 4; pt 5; pt 6; pt 7)

To be fair to Keaton, most of the issues that I have with him aren't really his fault, the script and writing let him down big time. He COULD have played a good Bruce Wayne, I don't doubt that, but wasn't given the chance,

He played a great Bruce Wayne, sure it was different from the comics but the hermit and mysterious Mr. Wayne in Bats '89 to the slightly-bumbling but corporate Wayne in Returns is still good by me.

It's a much more generalized Bruce than the one we got to see with Kilmer and Bale. And for a Batman movie of that time the script worked.

__________________

THE JUSTICE BULLETIN published some of my thematic analysis on the symbolism in Nolan's superhero saga.
I call it Heroic Archetypes. You can read the parts on Batman Begins in the following links:
(pt 1; pt 2; pt 3; pt 4; pt 5; pt 6; pt 7)

I dislike Batman Forever because it didnt' know what it was. It was tonally a very jarring movie. 50% excellent and 50% Batman and Robin. This is why I appreciate the latter more, even though it was soulless in the sense Joel was on auto pilot (to his own admittance, and it shows). Unlike BF, which is pretty Joel-ish, he really loved doing it (still does).

I think Affleck's Batman will be the most cunning and wily, using his intelligence and wits to beat or at least stand up to Superman. Even if he is more physically intimidating and taller, against a Kryptonian he would stand no chance naturally. So he'll have to use other means to even out the fight.

Egg-zactly. Just as Craig Bond was doubted and laughed at initially, and became the hardest hitting and grittiest. Affleck Batman will go toe-to-to with Superman, therefore make him one deadly individual to be reckoned with. There's no worries there.

I think it's going to stack a lot in Affleck's favour that he gets to come in and be the scene-stealing badass here, rather than the straight man having to carry the film. It's not the most direct comparison, but think of how much more popular Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is compared to Eric Bana or Ed Norton.

__________________Check out my comics, THE STANDARD, AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE, OXYMORON: THE LOVELIEST NIGHTMARE on ComiXology!